A golden retriever portrait that keeps your dog's own shade of gold

Every sample here is the same dog, Bram, a pale golden, with Saar the tabby. Look at how the cream coat holds in each style, from the window light of Old Master to the white page of Studio Minimal.

Goldens suit the Vintage Poster style especially well, because a golden's life happens outdoors: the beach, the lake, the snow. Pick a walk, or describe the one he loves, in your words.

Light is the trick with a golden. Bright midday sun bleaches a cream coat to white and a red coat to orange. Open shade or an overcast day shows the true color. Get down to his eye level so the dark eyes and the brow catch some light.

A head-and-shoulders photo is enough; the body follows from the coat and build, including the feathering on the chest and legs. A wet golden from the lake is a different dog: use a dry photo unless the wet one is the one you love. The lead or the person beside him don't matter, since only the dog is used.

If the color is still off on the design, say it plainly: ‘make Bram paler, more cream than gold’. Edits go back to his own photo.

Goldens go gray early, around the muzzle and eyes. If you want him as he is now, use a recent photo. If you'd rather remember him at five, use an older one; a phone photo of a paper print works. For a memorial, add his name and years in your own line, for example ‘Bram · 2012–2026’.

From $59 for a 12 × 16 in fine-art print, $74 for 16 × 20 in. Framed prints $119–$329, canvas $99–$249, canvas in a float frame $169–$449. Up to four animals on one print at no extra charge, so the second golden can come too. The design is free and can be changed up to five times. After you order you approve the full-size proof before anything prints. Made in 2–3 business days, then shipped free in the US with tracking, usually in 3–5 business days.